Zach Wilson update: How long will the knee injury keep the Jets’ QB out?

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson exited the team’s Friday night preseason game against the host Philadelphia Eagles due to a knee injury. The former BYU shot-caller, who endured a touch rookie season with the 4-13 Jets after being snapped up second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, is expected to be out for a few weeks pending an MRI scan, but the New York franchise are hopeful that there has been no damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.

Jets hopeful Wilson’s ACL is intact

Coach Robert Saleh said postgame that Wilson’s anterior cruciate ligament is “supposed to be intact.”

Saleh added, “I’m going to let the MRI play out and we’ll figure it out (Saturday).”

According to ESPN, the team believes the injury is to Wilson’s right posterior ligament -- which he hurt last year, costing him four games -- but that he might miss just a few weeks.

Wilson sustained the injury in the first quarter after rolling out of the pocket and scrambling to his right. He made a cut to evade a defender, lunged forward and came up limping.

He was taken to the locker room shortly after and replaced by Mike White. The Jets ruled him questionable to return, but he never did. The Jets wound up winning the preseason contest 24-21.

Prior to exiting the game, Wilson completed 3 of 5 passes for 23 yards with an interception. He added 7 yards on one carry.

Wilson, 23, is in his second season with New York after recording 2,334 passing yards with nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions during his rookie campaign.

Wilson injury opens door for possible Garoppolo trade

The Jets now have a decision to make given Wilson’s injury. Back-up quarterback Mike White replaced the nominal starter during the win over the Eagles and the franchise has Joe Flacco and Chris Streveler on the roster but the loss of Wilson for anywhere longer than a few weeks could see the Jets enter the trade market. One name that has been mentioned is 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who has been made available after the elevation of Trey Lance. Garoppolo has laso been linked with the Cleveland Browns, who face uncertainty over starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. who has been banned for six games over sexual harassment allegations and could face a lengthier sanction from the NFL.